EQUITABLE COMPANIES INC
10-Q, 1998-11-13
LIFE INSURANCE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                  -------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarter Ended September 30, 1998        Commission File No. 1-11166
- -----------------------------------------   ------------------------------------

                      The Equitable Companies Incorporated
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                      Delaware                                   13-3623351
- -------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
          (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
           incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)


  1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York                  10104
- -------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
      (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)


 Registrant's telephone number, including area code            (212) 554-1234
                                                            --------------------


                                      None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed
                              since last report.)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required to file such reports), and (2) been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.
                                                           Yes   X    No
                                                                ----      -----

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                                                     Shares Outstanding
             Class                                   at November 11, 1998
- ----------------------------------------------   ------------------------------

  Common Stock, $.01 par value                           223,127,402










                                                                   Page 1 of 38

<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                                    FORM 10-Q
                    FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                   Page #
PART I          FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<S>             <C>                                                                                <C>
Item 1:         Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
                   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1998
                    and December 31, 1997........................................................      3
                   Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three Months and Nine
                    Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.....................................      4
                   Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Nine Months
                    Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997............................................      5
                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended
                    September 30, 1998 and 1997..................................................      6
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements....................................      7

Item 2:         Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                    Results of Operations........................................................     18

PART II         OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1:         Legal Proceedings................................................................     37

Item 4:         Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..............................     37

Item 6:         Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.................................................     37

SIGNATURES.......................................................................................     38
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>

PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
          Item 1:  Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,        December 31,
                                                                                   1998                 1997
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                         (In Millions)
<S>                                                                          <C>                  <C>    
ASSETS
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
    Available for sale, at estimated fair value.............................  $    21,148.8        $    19,978.5
    Held to maturity, at amortized cost.....................................          262.0                143.0
  Trading account securities, at market value...............................       16,756.0             16,535.7
  Securities purchased under resale agreements..............................       20,845.4             22,628.8
  Mortgage loans on real estate.............................................        2,552.0              2,611.4
  Equity real estate........................................................        2,106.5              2,495.1
  Policy loans..............................................................        2,050.2              2,422.9
  Other equity investments..................................................        1,138.3              1,276.5
  Other invested assets.....................................................        1,002.0                613.6
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total investments.....................................................       67,861.2             68,705.5
Cash and cash equivalents...................................................        1,356.2                597.4
Broker-dealer related receivables...........................................       33,435.1             28,184.3
Deferred policy acquisition costs...........................................        3,419.5              3,237.4
Amounts due from discontinued operations....................................          362.5                572.8
Other assets................................................................        6,184.5              4,770.5
Closed Block assets.........................................................        8,608.2              8,566.6
Separate Accounts assets....................................................       36,321.7             36,538.7
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Total Assets................................................................  $   157,548.9        $   151,173.2
                                                                              =================    =================

LIABILITIES
Policyholders' account balances.............................................  $    20,847.4        $    21,578.6
Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities..................        4,688.6              4,553.8
Securities sold under repurchase agreements.................................       35,693.5             36,006.7
Broker-dealer related payables..............................................       30,261.4             25,941.5
Short-term and long-term debt...............................................        7,608.6              5,936.3
Other liabilities...........................................................        7,377.9              6,502.8
Closed Block liabilities....................................................        9,054.2              9,073.7
Separate Accounts liabilities...............................................       36,228.8             36,306.3
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total liabilities.....................................................      151,760.4            145,899.7
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Series D convertible preferred stock........................................          427.8                514.4
Stock employee compensation trust...........................................         (427.8)              (514.4)
Common stock, at par value..................................................            2.2                  2.2
Capital in excess of par value..............................................        3,658.7              3,627.5
Treasury stock..............................................................         (145.0)                 -
Retained earnings...........................................................        1,759.2              1,137.4
Accumulated other comprehensive income......................................          513.4                506.4
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total shareholders' equity............................................        5,788.5              5,273.5
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity..................................  $   157,548.9        $   151,173.2
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                September 30,                      September 30,
                                                       ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                            1998             1997              1998              1997
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                     (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
REVENUES
Universal life and investment-type
  product policy fee income..........................  $      270.3     $      240.6      $      787.4      $     707.2
Premiums.............................................         147.1            137.2             436.2            430.0
Net investment income................................       1,110.7            993.6           3,468.7          2,828.4
Investment (losses) gains, net.......................        (195.4)           213.8             153.6            825.9
Commissions, fees and other income...................       1,016.9            905.8           3,357.6          2,451.5
Contribution from the Closed Block...................          24.0             30.1              66.4             95.6
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total revenues.................................       2,373.6          2,521.1           8,269.9          7,338.6
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS
Interest credited to policyholders' account
  balances...........................................         289.6            313.9             872.9            958.5
Policyholders' benefits..............................         244.1            235.9             764.5            718.3
Other operating costs and expenses...................       1,573.5          1,604.7           5,376.1          4,595.0
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total benefits and other deductions............       2,107.2          2,154.5           7,013.5          6,271.8
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Earnings from continuing operations before
  Federal income taxes and minority interest.........         266.4            366.6           1,256.4          1,066.8
Federal income taxes.................................          86.0            116.5             414.8            376.2
Minority interest in net income of
  consolidated subsidiaries..........................          41.3             63.5             188.9            112.6
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from continuing operations..................         139.1            186.6             652.7            578.0
Discontinued operations, net of Federal income
  taxes..............................................            .7              (.2)              2.5             (2.9)
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Net Earnings.........................................  $      139.8     $      186.4      $      655.2      $     575.1
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

Per Common Share:
  Basic:
    Earnings from continuing operations..............  $         .63    $         .87     $        2.94     $       2.89
    Discontinued operations, net of Federal
      income taxes...................................           -                -                  .01             (.02)
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
    Net Earnings.....................................  $         .63    $         .87     $        2.95     $       2.87
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
  Diluted:
    Earnings from continuing operations..............  $         .61    $         .81     $        2.84     $       2.58
    Discontinued operations, net of Federal
      income taxes...................................            .01             -                  .01             (.01)
                                                       ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
    Net Earnings.....................................  $         .62    $         .81     $        2.85     $       2.57
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

Cash Dividends Per Common Share                        $         .05    $         .05     $         .15     $        .15
                                                       ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1998                 1997
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>          
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Series C convertible preferred stock, beginning of year.....................  $         -          $        24.4
Exchange of Series C convertible preferred stock............................            -                  (24.4)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Series C convertible preferred stock, end of period.........................            -                    -
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Series D convertible preferred stock, beginning of year.....................          514.4                294.0
Exchange of Series D convertible preferred stock............................            -                  (54.8)
Change in market value of shares............................................          (86.6)               189.9
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Series D convertible preferred stock, end of period.........................          427.8                429.1
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Stock employee compensation trust, beginning of year........................         (514.4)              (294.0)
Exchange of Series D convertible stock in the employee
  compensation trust........................................................            -                   54.8
Change in market value of shares............................................           86.6               (189.9)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Stock employee compensation trust, end of period............................         (427.8)              (429.1)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Series E convertible preferred stock, beginning of year.....................            -                  380.2
Exchange of Series E convertible preferred stock............................            -                 (380.2)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Series E convertible preferred stock, end of period.........................            -                    -
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Common stock, at par value, beginning of year...............................            2.2                  1.9
Issuance of common stock....................................................            -                     .3
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Common stock, at par value, end of period...................................            2.2                  2.2
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Capital in excess of par value, beginning of year...........................        3,627.5              2,782.2
Additional capital in excess of par value...................................           31.2                841.0
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Capital in excess of par value, end of period...............................        3,658.7              3,623.2
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Treasury stock, beginning of year...........................................            -                    -
Purchase of shares for treasury.............................................         (145.0)                 -
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Treasury stock, end of period...............................................         (145.0)                 -
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Retained earnings, beginning of year........................................        1,137.4                632.9
Net earnings................................................................          655.2                575.1
Dividends on preferred stocks...............................................            -                  (15.6)
Dividends on common stock...................................................          (33.4)               (29.8)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Retained earnings, end of period............................................        1,759.2              1,162.6
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning of year...................          506.4                166.4
Other comprehensive income..................................................            7.0                230.0
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income, end of period.......................          513.4                396.4
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Total Shareholders' Equity, End of Period...................................  $     5,788.5        $     5,184.4
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1998                 1997
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)

<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>          
Net earnings................................................................  $       655.2        $       575.1
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used
    by operating activities:
    Interest credited to policyholders' account balances....................          872.9                958.5
    Universal life and investment-type policy fee income....................         (787.4)              (707.2)
    Net change in trading activities and broker-dealer related
      receivables/payables..................................................       (2,365.7)            (3,777.8)
    (Increase) decrease in matched resale agreements........................       (2,317.8)            (4,522.5)
    Increase (decrease) in matched repurchase agreements....................        2,317.8              4,522.5
    Investment gains, net of dealer and trading gains.......................         (253.2)              (425.1)
    Change in clearing association fees and regulatory deposits.............           41.9                116.9
    Change in Federal income tax payable....................................           61.3                 14.3
    Other, net..............................................................         (281.7)               200.3
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Net cash used by operating activities.......................................       (2,056.7)            (3,045.0)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Maturities and repayments.................................................        1,869.1              2,158.6
  Sales....................................................................        13,849.8              8,093.5
  Purchases.................................................................      (16,106.7)           (10,770.1)
  Decrease in loans to discontinued operations..............................          300.0                336.2
  Sale of subsidiaries......................................................            -                  261.0
  Other, net................................................................         (323.2)              (272.3)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Net cash used by investing activities.......................................         (411.0)              (193.1)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Policyholders' account balances:
    Deposits................................................................        1,066.8              1,026.9
    Withdrawals.............................................................       (1,314.2)            (1,417.6)
  Increase in short-term financings.........................................        1,977.6              3,652.6
  Additions to long-term debt...............................................        1,970.8                847.7
  Repayments of long-term debt..............................................         (495.5)              (159.8)
  Payment of obligation to fund accumulated deficit of discontinued
    operations..............................................................          (87.2)               (83.9)
  Purchase of treasury stock................................................         (145.0)                 -
  Other, net................................................................          253.2                 65.8
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Net cash provided by financing activities...................................        3,226.5              3,931.7
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Change in cash and cash equivalents.........................................          758.8                693.6
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year................................          597.4                755.3
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period....................................  $     1,356.2        $     1,448.9
                                                                              =================    =================

Supplemental cash flow information
  Interest Paid.............................................................  $     3,520.9        $     2,928.4
                                                                              =================    =================
  Income Taxes Paid.........................................................  $       312.2        $       338.2
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                      THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

 1)   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

      The  accompanying   consolidated  financial  statements  are  prepared  in
      conformity  with GAAP which  requires  management  to make  estimates  and
      assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
      disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at the  date  of the
      financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of revenues and expenses
      during  the  reporting   period.   These  statements  should  be  read  in
      conjunction  with the consolidated  financial  statements of The Equitable
      for the year ended  December 31, 1997.  The results of operations  for the
      nine months ended September 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the
      results to be expected for the full year.

      The terms "third quarter 1998" and "third quarter 1997" refer to the three
      months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  The terms "first
      nine  months of 1998" and "first  nine  months of 1997"  refer to the nine
      months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

      Certain  reclassifications  have been made in the  amounts  presented  for
      prior periods to conform those periods with the current presentation.

 2)   NEW ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS

      In  October  1998,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  134,   "Accounting   for
      Mortgage-Backed  Securities  Retained after the Securitization of Mortgage
      Loans  Held for  Sale by a  Mortgage  Banking  Enterprise,"  which  amends
      existing  accounting  and reporting  standards  for certain  activities of
      mortgage banking enterprises and other enterprises that conduct operations
      that are  substantially  similar to the primary  operations  of a mortgage
      banking  enterprise.  This  statement  is  effective  for the first fiscal
      quarter  beginning after December 15, 1998. This statement is not expected
      to  have a  material  impact  on The  Equitable's  consolidated  financial
      statements.

      In June 1998,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 133,  "Accounting  for  Derivative
      Instruments  and Hedging  Activities,"  which  establishes  accounting and
      reporting   standards  for  derivative   instruments,   including  certain
      derivatives  embedded in other contracts,  and for hedging activities.  It
      requires all  derivatives  to be  recognized  on the balance sheet at fair
      value.  The  accounting  for  changes  in the fair  value of a  derivative
      depends on its intended use.  Derivatives  not used in hedging  activities
      must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Changes in the fair value
      of derivatives used in hedging activities will, depending on the nature of
      the hedge,  either be offset in earnings  against the change in fair value
      of the hedged item  attributable to the risk being hedged or recognized in
      other comprehensive income until the hedged item affects earnings. For all
      hedging  activities,  the ineffective  portion of a derivative's change in
      fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.

      SFAS No. 133 requires  adoption in fiscal years  beginning  after June 15,
      1999 and permits early  adoption as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter
      following issuance of the statement.  Retroactive application to financial
      statements of prior periods is prohibited.  The Equitable expects to adopt
      the SFAS No. 133 effective  January 1, 2000.  Adjustments  resulting  from
      initial  adoption  of the new  requirements  will be  reported in a manner
      similar to the cumulative  effect of a change in accounting  principle and
      will be reflected in net income or accumulated other comprehensive  income
      based upon existing hedging relationships, if any. Management currently is
      assessing  the impact of  adoption.  However,  Alliance's  adoption is not
      expected  to have a  significant  impact on The  Equitable's  consolidated
      balance  sheet  or  statement  of  earnings.  Also,  since  most of  DLJ's
      derivatives  are  carried at fair  values,  The  Equitable's  consolidated
      earnings  and  financial  position  are not  expected to be  significantly
      affected by DLJ's adoption of the new requirements.

                                       7
<PAGE>

      In March 1998,  the AICPA  issued SOP 98-1,  "Accounting  for the Costs of
      Computer  Software  Developed  or Obtained  for  Internal  Use".  SOP 98-1
      requires capitalization of external and certain internal costs incurred to
      obtain or develop  internal-use  computer  software during the application
      development stage. The SOP is to be applied prospectively for fiscal years
      beginning after December 15, 1998; earlier application is encouraged.  The
      Equitable  adopted the provisions of SOP 98-1  effective  January 1, 1998.
      The adoption of SOP 98-1 did not have a material impact on The Equitable's
      consolidated  financial statements.  Capitalized  internal-use software is
      amortized on a straight-line  basis over the estimated  useful life of the
      software.  Prior to adopting  SOP 98-1,  software  development  costs were
      expensed as incurred.

 3)   INVESTMENTS

      Investment valuation allowances and changes thereto are shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                                                           September 30,
                                                                                 -----------------------------------
                                                                                      1998                1997
                                                                                 ---------------     ---------------
                                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                       <C>                 <C>        
      Balances, beginning of year............................................... $      384.5        $     137.1
      Additions charged to income...............................................         72.6               99.2
      Deductions for writedowns and asset dispositions..........................       (173.8)             (61.7)
                                                                                ----------------     ---------------
      Balances, End of Period................................................... $      283.3        $     174.6
                                                                                 ===============     ===============

      Balances, end of period:
        Mortgage loans on real estate........................................... $       28.5        $      51.6
        Equity real estate......................................................        254.8              123.0
                                                                                ----------------     ---------------
      Total..................................................................... $      283.3        $     174.6
                                                                                 ===============     ===============
</TABLE>

      For  the  third  quarter  and  first  nine  months  of 1998  and of  1997,
      investment income is shown net of investment  expenses (including interest
      expense to finance  short-term  trading  instruments)  of $858.2  million,
      $2,551.9 million, $826.1 million and $2,355.3 million, respectively.

      As  of  September  30,  1998  and  December  31,  1997,  fixed  maturities
      classified as available for sale had amortized costs of $20,269.6  million
      and $19,107.1 million,  fixed maturities in the held to maturity portfolio
      had estimated fair values of $285.7 million and $164.3 million and trading
      account  securities had amortized costs of $17,004.9 million and $16,521.9
      million, respectively. Other equity investments included equity securities
      with  carrying  values of $572.7  million and $767.1  million and costs of
      $527.4 million and $741.4 million at these same respective dates.

      For the first nine months of 1998 and of 1997,  proceeds received on sales
      of fixed maturities classified as available for sale amounted to $13,271.1
      million and $7,600.7 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $116.1 million
      and $126.4  million and gross  losses of $72.7  million and $95.2  million
      were  realized  on these  sales for the first  nine  months of 1998 and of
      1997,   respectively.   Unrealized   investment  gains  related  to  fixed
      maturities  classified as available for sale  increased by $7.8 million in
      the first nine months of 1998, resulting in a balance of $879.2 million at
      September 30, 1998.

                                       8
<PAGE>

      Impaired  mortgage loans along with the related  provision for losses were
      as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                      1998               1997
                                                                                -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                           (In Millions)
     <S>                                                                        <C>                <C>        
      Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses.......................   $     126.2        $     196.7
      Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses....................          16.4                3.6
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
      Recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans..........................         142.6              200.3
      Provision for losses....................................................         (24.6)             (51.8)
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
      Net Impaired Mortgage Loans.............................................   $     118.0        $     148.5
                                                                                ================   =================
</TABLE>

      During  the  first  nine  months  of 1998 and of 1997,  respectively,  The
      Equitable's  average  recorded  investment in impaired  mortgage loans was
      $177.1 million and $307.3  million.  Interest  income  recognized on these
      impaired  mortgage  loans  totaled  $9.5  million and $13.3  million  ($.9
      million and $1.5  million  recognized  on a cash basis) for the first nine
      months of 1998 and 1997, respectively.

 4)   SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

      Securities  sold under  repurchase  agreements  are  treated as  financing
      transactions   and  carried  at  the  amounts  at  which  the   securities
      subsequently  will be  reacquired  per the  respective  agreements.  These
      agreements with  counterparties  were  collateralized  principally by U.S.
      government  securities.  The weighted average interest rates on securities
      sold under  repurchase  agreements  were 5.24% and 6.04% at September  30,
      1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively.

 5)   CLOSED BLOCK

      Summarized financial information for the Closed Block is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,         December 31,
                                                                                    1998                 1997
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                    <C>                  <C>    
      Assets
      Fixed maturities:
        Available for sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost of
          $4,154.7 and $4,059.4)............................................. $     4,458.2        $     4,231.0
      Mortgage loans on real estate..........................................       1,577.4              1,341.6
      Policy loans...........................................................       1,652.4              1,700.2
      Cash and other invested assets.........................................          73.4                282.0
      Deferred policy acquisition costs......................................         630.5                775.2
      Other assets...........................................................         216.3                236.6
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Assets........................................................... $     8,608.2        $     8,566.6
                                                                              =================    =================

      Liabilities
      Future policy benefits and other policyholders' account balances....... $     8,982.8        $     8,993.2
      Other liabilities......................................................          71.4                 80.5
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Liabilities...................................................... $     9,054.2        $     9,073.7
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998              1997             1998              1997
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                      <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>  
      Revenues
      Premiums and other income................ $      155.1      $     161.4      $      488.1      $      510.8
      Investment income (net of investment
        expenses of $4.7, $6.9, $15.5 and
        $21.3).................................        143.3            145.8             425.0             424.1
      Investment gains (losses), net...........           .3              (.4)             (1.6)              5.0
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total revenues...........................        298.7            306.8             911.5             939.9
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

      Benefits and Other Deductions
      Policyholders' benefits and dividends....        252.8            258.7             797.6             795.5
      Other operating costs and expenses.......         21.9             18.0              47.5              48.8
                                                                  ---------------
                                                ---------------                    ---------------   ---------------
      Total benefits and other deductions......        274.7            276.7             845.1             844.3
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

      Contribution from the Closed Block....... $       24.0      $      30.1      $       66.4      $       95.6
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

      Investment valuation allowances amounted to $9.0 million and $18.5 million
      on  mortgage  loans and $23.4  million  and $16.8  million on equity  real
      estate at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively.

      Impaired  mortgage loans along with the related  provision for losses were
      as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                    1998               1997
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                         (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                      <C>                <C>           
      Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses......................  $        55.7      $        109.1
      Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses...................            7.9                  .6
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Recorded investment in impaired mortgages..............................           63.6               109.7
      Provision for losses...................................................           (8.0)              (17.4)
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Net Impaired Mortgage Loans............................................  $        55.6      $         92.3
                                                                              =================  =================
</TABLE>

      During the first nine months of 1998 and of 1997, respectively, the Closed
      Block's average recorded  investment in impaired  mortgage loans was $97.5
      million and $115.0 million.  Interest income  recognized on these impaired
      mortgage  loans  totaled $4.0 million and $6.7 million  ($1.5  million and
      $2.8 million recognized on a cash basis) for the first nine months of 1998
      and 1997, respectively.

                                       10
<PAGE>

 6)   DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

      Summarized financial information for discontinued operations follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,         December 31,
                                                                                    1998                 1997
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>  
      Assets
      Mortgage loans on real estate.......................................... $       487.6        $       635.2
      Equity real estate.....................................................         730.4                874.5
      Other equity investments...............................................         130.2                209.3
      Other invested assets..................................................         271.6                152.4
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
        Total investments....................................................       1,619.8              1,871.4
      Cash and cash equivalents..............................................          38.7                106.8
      Other assets...........................................................         224.1                243.8
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Assets........................................................... $     1,882.6        $     2,222.0
                                                                              =================    =================

      Liabilities
      Policyholders liabilities.............................................. $     1,029.3        $     1,048.3
      Allowance for future losses............................................         298.1                259.2
      Amounts due to continuing operations...................................         362.5                572.8
      Other liabilities......................................................         192.7                341.7
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total Liabilities...................................................... $     1,882.6        $     2,222.0
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998              1997             1998              1997
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
       <S>                                      <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>  
      Revenues
      Investment income (net of investment
        expenses of $15.8, $23.7, $53.3
        and $73.3)............................. $       46.3      $      49.9      $      124.8      $      128.3
      Investment gains (losses), net...........          1.5              (.4)             34.7              (4.5)
      Policy fees, premiums and other
        income, net............................          -                -                 (.1)               .1
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total revenues...........................         47.8             49.5             159.4             123.9

      Benefits and Other Deductions............         35.3             40.8             109.9             131.4
      Earnings credited (losses charged)
        to allowance for future losses.........         12.5              8.7              49.5              (7.5)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Pre-tax loss from operations.............          -                -                 -                 -
      Pre-tax earnings from releasing (loss
        from strengthening) the allowance
        for future losses......................          1.2              (.4)              3.9              (4.5)
      Federal income tax (expense) benefit.....          (.5)              .2              (1.4)              1.6
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued
        Operations............................. $         .7      $       (.2)     $        2.5      $       (2.9)
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

      The Equitable's  quarterly process for evaluating the allowance for future
      losses applies the current  period's  results of  discontinued  operations
      against  the  allowance,  re-estimates  future  losses,  and  adjusts  the
      allowance,  if appropriate.  The evaluations performed as of September 30,
      1998 and 1997 resulted in  management's  decision to release the allowance
      by $3.9 million and  strengthen the allowance by $4.5 million for the nine
      months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  This resulted in
      after-tax  earnings of $2.5  million for the first nine months of 1998 and
      an after-tax charge of $2.9 million for the first nine months of 1997.

                                       11
<PAGE>

      Management  believes the allowance for future losses at September 30, 1998
      is adequate to provide for all future losses;  however,  the determination
      of the allowance  involves  numerous  estimates and  subjective  judgments
      regarding the expected performance of Discontinued  Operations  Investment
      Assets.  There can be no assurance the losses provided for will not differ
      from the  losses  ultimately  realized.  To the extent  actual  results or
      future  projections of discontinued  operations  differ from  management's
      current  estimates  and  assumptions  underlying  the allowance for future
      losses,  the difference would be reflected in the consolidated  statements
      of earnings  in  discontinued  operations.  In  particular,  to the extent
      income,  sales proceeds and holding  periods for equity real estate differ
      from  management's  previous  assumptions,  periodic  adjustments  to  the
      allowance are likely to result.

      Investment valuation allowances amounted to $2.1 million and $28.4 million
      on  mortgage  loans and $49.6  million  and $88.4  million on equity  real
      estate at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively.

      Impaired  mortgage loans along with the related  provision for losses were
      as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                    1998               1997
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                         (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                      <C>                <C>          
      Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses......................  $        6.4       $       101.8
      Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses...................           9.0                  .2
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Recorded investment in impaired mortgages..............................          15.4               102.0
      Provision for losses...................................................          (5.2)              (27.3)
                                                                              -----------------  -----------------
      Net Impaired Mortgage Loans............................................  $       10.2       $        74.7
                                                                              =================  =================
</TABLE>

      During the first nine months of 1998 and of 1997, discontinued operations'
      average recorded  investment in impaired  mortgage loans was $95.0 million
      and $88.4  million,  respectively.  Interest  income  recognized  on these
      impaired  mortgage  loans  totaled  $4.6  million and $4.6  million  ($3.4
      million  and $3.5  million  recognized  on a cash basis) in the first nine
      months of 1998 and 1997, respectively.

      Benefits and other deductions included $5.8 million,  $21.7 million, $12.7
      million and $42.4 million of interest  expense related to amounts borrowed
      from continuing  operations for the third quarter and first nine months of
      1998 and of 1997, respectively.

 7)   FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

      Federal  income  taxes for interim  periods  have been  computed  using an
      estimated annual  effective tax rate. This rate is revised,  if necessary,
      at the end of each  successive  interim  period  to  reflect  the  current
      estimate of the annual effective tax rate.

 8)   ALLIANCE

      On June 30,  1997,  Alliance  reduced the  recorded  value of goodwill and
      contracts  associated  with its acquisition of Cursitor by $120.9 million.
      This charge reflected  Alliance's view that Cursitor's  continuing decline
      in assets under management and its reduced  profitability,  resulting from
      relative  investment  underperformance,  no longer  supported the carrying
      value of its  investment.  As a  result,  The  Equitable's  earnings  from
      continuing  operations for the first nine months of 1997 included a charge
      of $59.5 million, net of a Federal income tax benefit of $10.0 million and
      minority interest of $51.4 million.

      In  addition  to its 1%  general  partnership  interest  in  Alliance,  at
      September 30, 1998, The Equitable  owned  approximately  56.8% of Alliance
      Units.

                                       12
<PAGE>

 9)   CAPITAL STOCK

      In May 1998, the Holding  Company's Board of Directors  authorized a stock
      repurchase program pursuant to which the Holding Company may repurchase up
      to 8 million  shares  of its  Common  Stock  from time to time in the open
      market or through privately  negotiated  transactions.  In September,  the
      Holding  Company's  Board of  Directors  increased  the  number  of shares
      authorized under the stock repurchase program to 15 million.  At September
      30, 1998, the Holding Company has repurchased 2.6 million shares of Common
      Stock at a cost of $145.0 million.

      In December  1993,  the Holding  Company  established  a SECT to provide a
      source of  funding  for a portion  of  obligations  arising  from  various
      employee compensation and benefits programs of subsidiaries. At that time,
      the Holding  Company sold 60,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock to the
      SECT. Periodically, the SECT is required to distribute an amount of Series
      D Preferred Stock (or Common Stock issued on conversion  thereof) based on
      a predetermined formula. In April 1996, the Holding Company had registered
      with the SEC  approximately  11.9 million  shares of Common Stock issuable
      upon conversion of shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by the SECT. In
      July 1997,  the SECT  released  8,040  shares of Series D Preferred  Stock
      which  were  converted  into 1.6  million  shares  of  Common  Stock.  AXA
      purchased  960,000 shares  directly  while the remaining  shares were sold
      through an agent to the public. The net proceeds of the sale totaled $54.8
      million, increasing shareholders' equity by this amount.

      On August 4, 1997,  the Holding  Company  redeemed in full $364.2  million
      principal amount of its 6.125%  Subordinated  Debentures due 2024,  50,017
      shares  of its  Series C and  822,460  shares  of its  Series E  Preferred
      Stocks.  Upon  redemption  of all  Subordinated  Debentures  and shares of
      Series C and E Preferred  Stocks,  approximately  32.5 million  additional
      shares of Common Stock were issued by the Holding Company.  Holders of the
      Series C and E  Preferred  Stocks  received  cash  representing  dividends
      accrued from the prior dividend  payment date through the date of sale. As
      a result of those transactions,  shareholders'  equity increased by $339.7
      million.

10)   RESTRUCTURING COSTS

      During the first  nine  months of 1997,  The  Equitable  recorded  pre-tax
      provisions of $42.4 million,  primarily for employee  termination and exit
      costs. The amounts paid during the first nine months of 1998 totaled $16.8
      million. At September 30, 1998, the $45.2 million of liabilities  included
      costs related to employee  termination and exit costs,  the termination of
      operating leases and the  consolidation of insurance  operations'  service
      centers.

                                       13
<PAGE>

11)   COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998              1997             1998              1997
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>         
      Net earnings............................. $      139.8      $     186.4      $      655.2      $      575.1
      Less - dividends on preferred stocks.....          -               (2.2)              -               (15.6)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Net earnings applicable to common
        shares - Basic.........................        139.8            184.2             655.2             559.5
      Add - dividends on convertible
        preferred stock and interest on
        convertible subordinated debt,
        when dilutive..........................          -                3.5               -                24.5
      Less - effect of assumed exercise of
        options of publicly held subsidiaries..         (1.5)            (6.5)            (13.4)            (14.1)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Net Earnings Applicable to Common
        Shares - Diluted....................... $      138.3       $    181.2       $     641.8       $     569.9
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============

      Weighted average common shares
        outstanding - Basic....................        221.9            211.1             222.3             194.8
      Add - assumed exercise of stock
        options................................          3.2              2.1               3.0               1.6
      Add - assumed conversion of
        convertible preferred stock............          -                5.9               -                13.9
      Add - assumed conversion of
        convertible subordinated debt..........          -                4.9               -                11.4
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Weighted Average Shares
        Outstanding - Diluted..................        225.1            224.0             225.3             221.7
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

12)   LITIGATION

      There  have  been  no new  material  legal  proceedings  and  no  material
      developments in matters which were previously  reported in The Equitable's
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31,
      1997, except as follows:

      On April 7, 1998, the Federal district court in Tampa,  Florida entered an
      order  preliminarily  approving the settlement  agreement  relating to the
      Golomb,  Malvin,  Bowler,  Bachman and  Fletcher  cases and  conditionally
      certifying  the  settlement  class.  The order also deems filed an amended
      complaint that asserts on a nationwide basis claims of the kind previously
      made in the five  pending  cases.  In October  1998,  the court  entered a
      judgment approving the settlement  agreement and, in November, a member of
      the national  class filed a notice of appeal of the judgment.  This appeal
      delays the  dismissal of the cases and  Equitable  Life's  payment of cash
      benefits,  apart from a modest payment in respect of administration  fees,
      under the terms of the  settlement  agreement.  Equitable  Life intends to
      oppose the appeal.

      In Cole, the court on February 17, 1998,  granted Equitable Life and EOC's
      motion for summary  judgment  dismissing the remaining claims of breach of
      contract  and  negligent  misrepresentation.  The court  therefore  denied
      plaintiffs' motion to certify the class. In April 1998, plaintiffs noticed
      their  appeal  from that  decision  and from the June 1996  decision,  the
      appeal  from which had been  dismissed.  This appeal has yet to be briefed
      and argued.

                                       14
<PAGE>

      In  Duncan,  plaintiffs  moved for  class  certification  in August  1998.
      Equitable  Life  opposed  that  motion  and  moved  for  summary  judgment
      dismissing the amended petition in its entirety. Discovery regarding class
      certification issues is ongoing.

      In Bradley,  in August 1998,  EVLICO and EOC moved for summary judgment on
      all causes of action,  and briefing  continues  on this  motion.  Briefing
      regarding   plaintiff's  motion  for  class  certification  is  completed,
      although discovery regarding class certification  issues is the subject of
      ongoing motion practice.

      In Dillon, the court granted plaintiff's motion to withdraw his motion for
      class certification on May 20, 1998. The parties have reached an agreement
      in principle to settle plaintiff's individual claims.

      In Franze, the parties are now engaged in class certification discovery.

      In Chaviano,  on June 12, 1998, the court granted  defendants'  motion for
      summary   judgment   dismissing   plaintiff's   claim  for   violation  of
      Massachusetts securities laws, and denied defendants' motion to dismiss or
      for summary judgment as to the balance of the amended  complaint.  On June
      26, 1998, the court granted  plaintiff's motion for leave to further amend
      the complaint, and denied plaintiff's motion for class certification.  The
      parties have  reached an  agreement  in  principle  to settle  plaintiff's
      individual claims.

      In Luther, the parties have settled the Luthers' individual claims.

      In Brown, the court referred the case to mediation, which is pending.

      The U.S.  Department  of Labor has  determined  to take no further  action
      regarding its  investigation of Equitable  Life's  management of the Prime
      Property Fund.

      In the proceeding  related to Alliance North  American  Government  Income
      Trust,  Inc., the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in October
      1998 affirmed the Second Decision in part and reversed the Second Decision
      in part. The Court of Appeals  affirmed the Second Decision  insofar as it
      denied  plaintiffs'  motion to file an amended complaint alleging that the
      Fund  did  not   properly   disclose   that  it   planned   to  invest  in
      mortgage-backed derivative securities and that certain advertisements used
      by the Fund  misrepresented  the risks of investing in the Fund. The Court
      of Appeals reversed the Second Decision  insofar as it denied  plaintiffs'
      motion to file an amended complaint alleging that the Fund  misrepresented
      its ability to hedge against currency risk.

      In National Gypsum,  DLJSC appealed the Bankruptcy  Court's January ruling
      to the U.S.  District Court for the Northern  District of Texas. On May 7,
      1998,  DLJSC and others were named as  defendants in a second action filed
      in  a  Texas  State  Court  brought  by  the  NGC  Settlement  Trust.  The
      allegations  of this second  Texas State  Court  action are  substantially
      similar to those of the earlier class action pending in the State Court.

      In Harrah's  Jazz, the  proponents of the plan of  reorganization  filed a
      notice in the U.S.  Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
      on  October  30,  1998  indicating  that  the  conditions  to the  plan of
      reorganization  have been  satisfied  and that the plan of  reorganization
      became  effective as of October 30, 1998.  Accordingly,  the settlement of
      the litigation  against DLJSC has become final and did not have a material
      effect on DLJ's results of operation or financial condition.

      In April  1998,  DLJSC's  motions for  summary  judgment  were denied in a
      litigation  commenced  in March  1991 by Dayton  Monetary  Associates  and
      Charles  Davison,  who, along with more than 200 other  plaintiffs,  filed
      several   complaints  against  DLJSC  and  a  number  of  other  financial
      institutions  and several  individuals in the U.S.  District Court for the
      Southern  District of New York. The plaintiffs allege that DLJSC and other
      defendants  violated  civil  provisions of RICO by inducing  plaintiffs to
      invest  over  $40.0  million  during the years  1978  through  1982 in The
      Securities  Groups,  a number of tax  shelter  limited  partnerships.  The
      plaintiffs  seek  recovery of the loss of their entire  investment  and an
      

                                       15
<PAGE>

      approximately  equivalent  amount of  tax-related  damages.  Judgment  for
      damages  under RICO are subject to trebling.  Discovery  is  complete.  No
      trial  date  has  been  set by  the  court.  DLJSC  believes  that  it has
      meritorious  defenses to the  complaints  and will continue to contest the
      suits vigorously. Although there can be no assurance, DLJ does not believe
      that the ultimate  outcome of this litigation will have a material adverse
      effect on its  consolidated  financial  condition  and/or  its  results of
      operations in any particular period.

      In addition to the matters  previously  reported and the matters described
      above,  the Holding Company and its  subsidiaries  are involved in various
      legal actions and proceedings in connection with their businesses. Some of
      the actions and proceedings have been brought on behalf of various alleged
      classes of  claimants  and  certain  of these  claimants  seek  damages of
      unspecified amounts.  While the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be
      predicted with  certainty,  in the opinion of management no such matter is
      likely to have a material  adverse effect on The Equitable's  consolidated
      financial position or results of operations.

13)   BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998              1997             1998              1997
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                       <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>         
      Revenues
      Insurance Operations..................... $      970.2      $     990.0      $    3,103.6      $    2,971.9
      Investment Services......................      1,395.2          1,527.0           5,145.0           4,357.8
      Corporate and Other......................         15.3             11.3              42.1              34.5
      Consolidation/elimination................         (7.1)            (7.2)            (20.8)            (25.6)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total.................................... $    2,373.6      $   2,521.1      $    8,269.9      $    7,338.6
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============

      Earnings from Continuing
        Operations before Federal Income
        Taxes and Minority Interest
      Insurance Operations..................... $      171.0      $     152.6      $      606.1      $      402.1
      Investment Services......................        120.5            240.5             721.6             755.5
      Corporate and Other......................         10.0              4.1              22.9               9.7
      Consolidation/elimination................          (.4)             (.4)             (1.1)             (1.3)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
        Subtotal...............................        301.1            396.8           1,349.5           1,166.0
      Corporate interest expense...............        (34.7)           (30.2)            (93.1)            (99.2)
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
      Total.................................... $      266.4      $     366.6      $    1,256.4      $    1,066.8
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,         December 31,
                                                                                    1998                 1997
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
                                                                                          (In Millions)
      <S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>          
      Assets
      Insurance Operations................................................... $    70,791.4        $    68,041.5
      Investment Services....................................................      86,317.6             83,120.3
      Corporate and Other....................................................         863.9                543.4
      Consolidation/elimination..............................................        (424.0)              (532.0)
                                                                              -----------------    -----------------
      Total.................................................................. $   157,548.9        $   151,173.2
                                                                              =================    =================
</TABLE>

                                       16
<PAGE>

14)   SALE OF SUBSIDIARIES

      On June 10,  1997,  Equitable  Life  sold  ERE to Lend  Lease.  The  total
      purchase  price was $400.0 million and consisted of $300.0 million in cash
      and a $100.0 million note maturing in eight years and bearing  interest at
      the rate of 7.4%.  The Equitable  recognized an investment  gain of $162.4
      million,  net of Federal  income tax of $87.4  million as a result of this
      transaction.  Through June 10, 1997, the businesses sold reported combined
      revenues of $91.6 million and combined net earnings of $10.7 million.

15)   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

      The components of comprehensive income for the third quarter 1998 and 1997
      and the first nine months of 1998 and 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998              1997             1998              1997
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
      <S>                                       <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>         
      Net earnings............................. $      139.8      $     186.4      $      655.2      $      575.1
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

      Change in unrealized gains (losses),
        net of reclassification adjustment.....        (33.0)           136.5               7.0             230.0
      Minimum pension liability adjustment.....          -                -                 -                 -
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

      Other comprehensive income...............        (33.0)           136.5               7.0             230.0
                                                ---------------   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

      Comprehensive Income..................... $      106.8      $     322.9      $      662.2      $      805.1
                                                ===============   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

                                       17
<PAGE>

Item 2.
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following  analysis of the consolidated  results of operations and financial
condition of The Equitable  should be read in conjunction  with the Consolidated
Financial Statements and the related Notes to Consolidated  Financial Statements
included  elsewhere  herein,  and with the Management's  Discussion and Analysis
section ("MD&A") included in The Equitable's 1997 Report on Form 10-K.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following  table  presents the results of  operations  outside of the Closed
Block  combined  on a  line-by-line  basis with the  contribution  of the Closed
Block.  The Insurance  Operations  analysis,  which begins on page 19,  likewise
reflects the Closed Block amounts on a  line-by-line  basis.  The MD&A addresses
the combined  results of  operations  unless  noted  otherwise.  The  Investment
Services discussion begins on page 22.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998             1997              1998              1997
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           (In Millions)
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Policy fee income and premiums................  $      572.0     $      539.0      $    1,711.2      $   1,647.5
Net investment income.........................       1,254.0          1,139.4           3,893.7          3,252.5
Investment (losses) gains, net................        (195.1)           213.4             152.0            830.9
Commissions, fees and other income............       1,017.4            906.0           3,358.1          2,452.0
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
  Total revenues..............................       2,648.3          2,797.8           9,115.0          8,182.9

Total benefits and other deductions...........       2,381.9          2,431.2           7,858.6          7,116.1
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from continuing operations
  before Federal income taxes and
  minority interest...........................         266.4            366.6           1,256.4          1,066.8
Federal income taxes..........................          86.0            116.5             414.8            376.2
Minority interest in net income of
  consolidated subsidiaries...................          41.3             63.5             188.9            112.6
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Earnings from Continuing Operations...........  $      139.1     $      186.6      $      652.7      $     578.0
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

Continuing Operations

During third quarter 1998,  earnings from continuing  operations  declined $47.5
million from third quarter 1997 principally due to the impact of adverse capital
market  conditions on Investment  Services,  particularly at DLJ.  Revenues from
Investment Services were approximately  $1.40 billion,  down $131.9 million from
the prior year's third quarter.  Underwriting  revenues at DLJ were sharply down
and trading losses were incurred on emerging market and high yield positions.

Excluding  the  effect  in the  1997  period  of the  $249.8  million  net  gain
recognized on the sale of ERE and The Equitable's share of Alliance's  writedown
of the  carrying  value  of  intangible  assets  associated  with  the  Cursitor
acquisition,  the higher pre-tax results of continuing  operations for the first
nine months of 1998  reflected  increased  earnings by  Investment  Services and
Insurance  Operations  and lower losses for Corporate and Other.  Federal income
taxes  increased due to the higher  pre-tax  results of operations  and the 3.5%
Federal tax on  partnership  gross income from the active  conduct of a trade or
business  which was imposed on certain  publicly  traded  limited  partnerships,
including  Alliance,  effective January 1, 1998. Minority interest in net income
of consolidated subsidiaries was higher principally due to increased earnings at
both DLJ and Alliance during the first half of the year.

                                       18
<PAGE>

The $932.1  million  increase  in  revenues  for the first  nine  months of 1998
compared  to the  corresponding  period in 1997 was  attributed  primarily  to a
$906.1 million increase in commissions, fees and other income principally due to
increased  business activity within Investment  Services  principally during the
first half of the year. Net investment  income  increased $641.2 million for the
first  nine  months of 1998 with  increases  of $654.3  million  for  Investment
Services partially offset by a $6.8 million decrease for Insurance Operations.

Investment  gains  decreased by $678.9 million for the first nine months of 1998
from $830.9 million for the same period in 1997 reflecting  $473.3 million lower
gains in  Investment  Services and the effect of the $252.1  million  gross gain
recognized on the sale of ERE during second  quarter 1997,  partially  offset by
$45.2 million higher gains for Insurance Operations.  The $43.0 million increase
in investment gains on General Account Investment Assets and $50.7 million gross
gains resulting from the exercise of Alliance and DLJ options and the conversion
of DLJ restricted  stock units was more than offset by a $448.7 million  decline
at DLJ.

For the first nine months of 1998, total benefits and other deductions increased
by $742.5 million from the comparable  period in 1997,  reflecting  increases in
other  operating  costs and  expenses  of  $779.8  million  and a $48.4  million
increase in policyholders' benefits partially offset by a $85.7 million decrease
in interest credited to policyholders. The increase in other operating costs and
expenses  principally  resulted from increased operating costs of $821.1 million
in Investment Services.


COMBINED RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

Insurance Operations

The following table combines the Closed Block amounts with the reported  results
of operations outside of the Closed Block on a line-by-line basis.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Insurance Operations
                                  (In Millions)

                                                                   Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       1998
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                       As             Closed                              1997
                                                    Reported           Block           Combined         Combined
                                                  -------------    --------------    -------------    --------------
<S>                                               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>         
Policy fees, premiums and other income..........  $  1,335.7       $    488.1        $    1,823.8     $    1,729.7
Net investment income...........................     1,634.6            425.0             2,059.6          2,066.4
Investment gains (losses), net..................        66.9             (1.6)               65.3             20.1
Contribution from the Closed Block..............        66.4            (66.4)                -                -
                                                  -------------    --------------    -------------    --------------
  Total revenues................................     3,103.6            845.1             3,948.7          3,816.2
Total benefits and other deductions.............     2,497.5            845.1             3,342.6          3,414.1
                                                  -------------    --------------    -------------    --------------
Earnings from Continuing Operations
  before Federal Income Taxes and
  Minority Interest.............................  $    606.1       $      -          $      606.1     $      402.1
                                                  =============    ==============    =============    ==============
</TABLE>

Insurance  Operations'  earnings for the first nine months of 1998  reflected an
increase of $204.0 million from the year earlier period. Lower interest-credited
on  policyholders'  account  balances,   higher  policy  fees  on  variable  and
interest-sensitive  life and individual  annuity contracts and higher investment
gains were offset by higher mortality on a larger book of business.

                                       19
<PAGE>

Total  revenues  increased by $132.5  million  primarily  due to a $38.4 million
increase in investment  results,  an $80.2 million increase in policy fees and a
$30.4 million increase in commissions,  fees and other income, offset by a $16.5
million decline in premiums.  For the first nine months of this year,  there was
an overall increase in Insurance  Operations  investment results which primarily
result from $51.8 million higher results on General  Account  Investment  Assets
principally  due to higher  returns on equity  real estate  partially  offset by
$20.7 million lower interest on reduced  borrowings by discontinued  operations.
In the third  quarter  of 1998,  investment  income  declined  $73.8  million as
compared to third quarter 1997 and by $55.7 million from the second quarter 1998
principally due to lower income on other equity  investments.  Policy fee income
for the first nine  months of 1998 rose $80.2  million to $787.4  million due to
higher insurance and annuity account  balances.  The decrease in premiums during
that same period  principally was due to lower  traditional  life and individual
health premiums.

Total  benefits and other  deductions for the first nine months of 1998 declined
$71.5 million from the  comparable  1997 period.  An $85.8  million  decrease in
interest  credited on  policyholders'  account balances resulted from moderately
lower crediting rates on slightly lower General Account balances. The decline in
policyholder  account  balances is primarily due to the single large COLI policy
surrendered in the first quarter of 1998. DAC capitalization  increased by $75.6
million.  There were $41.7 million of restructuring  costs during the first nine
months of 1997 and none in the 1998 period.  Offsetting  these  reductions  were
$75.1 million higher  commission  expenses due to increased sales,  increases of
$48.4 million in policyholders'  benefits primarily  resulting from higher death
claims  experience  on a  higher  in  force  book of  business  and  higher  DAC
amortization of $10.3 million due to higher margins  including higher investment
gains.

Premiums  and  Deposits - The  following  table  lists  premiums  and  deposits,
including  universal life and investment-type  contract deposits,  for Insurance
Operations' major product lines.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Premiums and Deposits
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998             1997              1998              1997
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Individual annuities
  First year..................................  $    1,189.1     $      862.0      $    3,465.2      $   2,255.8
  Renewal.....................................         292.0            283.6           1,026.4            968.2
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                     1,481.1          1,145.6           4,491.6          3,224.0
Individual life(1)
  First year recurring........................          54.8             46.9             162.0            151.9
  First year optional.........................          49.4             43.6             161.5            162.4
  Renewal.....................................         491.8            479.3           1,545.0          1,519.1
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                       596.0            569.8           1,868.5          1,833.4
Other(2)
  First year..................................           2.0              4.4               7.3             12.7
  Renewal.....................................          97.7             85.5             281.4            267.2
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                        99.7             89.9             288.7            279.9

Total first year..............................       1,295.3            956.9           3,796.0          2,582.8
Total renewal.................................         881.5            848.4           2,852.8          2,754.5
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Total individual insurance and
  annuity products............................       2,176.8          1,805.3           6,648.8          5,337.3

Total group pension products..................         103.9             84.2             279.3            249.3
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Total Premiums and Deposits...................  $    2,280.7     $    1,889.5      $    6,928.1      $   5,586.6
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
<FN>
(1) Includes variable and interest-sensitive and traditional life products.

(2) Includes health insurance and reinsurance assumed.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>

First year premiums and deposits for individual  insurance and annuity  products
for the first nine months of 1998  increased  from prior  year's  level by $1.21
billion primarily due to higher sales of individual annuities.  Some slowdown in
sales was experienced in the final weeks of third quarter 1998, which management
believes resulted from adverse capital market  conditions.  Renewal premiums and
deposits  increased by $98.3  million  during the first nine months of 1998 over
the prior year period as increases in the larger block of  individual  annuities
and variable and  interest-sensitive  life  policies  were  partially  offset by
decreases in the traditional life product line. The 53.6% increase in first year
individual annuities premiums and deposits in the first nine months of 1998 over
the prior year period  included a $847.8 million  increase in sales of a line of
retirement  annuity  products  sold  through  expanded  wholesale   distribution
channels,  up from $354.9 million sold through that distribution  channel in the
first nine months of 1997.  Compared with the first nine months of 1997,  retail
sales of individual annuities rose 19.0% to $2.26 billion in 1998.

Surrenders  and   Withdrawals  -  The  following  table   summarizes   Insurance
Operations'   surrenders   and   withdrawals,   including   universal  life  and
investment-type  contract  withdrawals,   for  major  individual  insurance  and
annuities' product lines.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Individual Insurance and Annuities
                   Surrenders and Withdrawals by Product Line
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998             1997              1998              1997
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Individual annuities..........................  $      626.1     $      650.5      $    2,067.8      $   1,814.0
Variable and interest-sensitive life..........         120.1            129.8             952.5            376.3
Traditional life..............................          83.5             91.4             272.7            288.8
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------

Total.........................................  $      829.7     $      871.7      $    3,293.0      $   2,479.1
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

Policy and contract  surrenders and withdrawals  increased $813.9 million during
the first nine months of 1998  compared  to the same period in 1997  principally
due to the first quarter 1998  surrender of $561.8  million  related to a single
large  COLI  contract.   Since  there  were  outstanding  policy  loans  on  the
surrendered contract, there were no cash outflows.  Excluding the effect of this
one  surrender,  the  remaining  $252.1  million  increase  resulted from higher
surrenders  and  withdrawals  in the larger  book of  individual  annuities  and
variable and interest-sensitive life policies.

                                       21
<PAGE>

Investment Services

The  following  table  summarizes  the  results  of  continuing  operations  for
Investment Services.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Investment Services
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998             1997              1998              1997
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Third party commissions and fees..............  $      971.8     $      867.9      $    3,227.2      $   2,327.0
Affiliate fees(1).............................          15.4             13.7              46.2             72.0
Net dealer and trading gains, investment
  results and other income....................         408.0            645.4           1,871.6          1,958.8
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Total revenues................................       1,395.2          1,527.0           5,145.0          4,357.8
Total costs and expenses......................       1,274.7          1,286.5           4,423.4          3,602.3
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from Continuing Operations
  before Federal Income Taxes and
  Minority Interest...........................  $      120.5     $      240.5      $      721.6      $     755.5
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
<FN>
(1)  Includes ERE in 1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>

During  third  quarter  1998,   Investment  Services  earnings  from  continuing
operations  before Federal income taxes and minority  interest  declined  $120.0
million from third quarter 1997 due to the impact of market  volatility  and the
disruption in capital markets on DLJ.  Underwriting revenues at DLJ were sharply
down and trading  losses and mark to market  valuation  losses were  incurred on
fixed maturities and emerging market securities.

On June 10,  1997,  Equitable  Life  sold ERE to Lend  Lease  and  entered  into
long-term  advisory  agreements  whereby the  businesses  sold will  continue to
provide services to Equitable Life's General Account and Separate Accounts.  The
Equitable  recognized  a gross  gain on this  sale  of  $252.1  million  (before
deducting  $2.3 million of related  state  income  tax).  Also during the second
quarter 1997,  Alliance  wrote down the recorded value of goodwill and contracts
associated  with its  acquisition of Cursitor by $120.9  million.  The impact of
Alliance's charge on The Equitable's 1997 net earnings was  approximately  $59.5
million.

Excluding  the effects of the gain on the ERE sale and the  Cursitor  writedown,
for the first nine months of 1998,  pre-tax  earnings  for  Investment  Services
increased  by $95.0  million  from the year  earlier  period.  Higher  operating
earnings for Alliance of $65.2 million and $45.7 million of gains related to the
issuance of Alliance Units upon exercise of options and increases in DLJ capital
from tax benefits  from the  exercise of options and  conversion  of  restricted
stock  units  during the 1998 period were  partially  offset by lower  operating
earnings of $2.0  million  for DLJ in the 1998  period and by the $14.8  million
earnings  contribution  from EREIM in the 1997 period.  Total  segment  revenues
increased by $787.2  million  principally  due to higher  revenues at DLJ. Total
costs and expenses increased by $821.1 million for the first nine months of 1998
as compared to the comparable period in 1997 principally reflecting increases in
compensation and interest and other expenses at DLJ due to increased activity in
the first half of 1998.

                                       22
<PAGE>

The following table summarizes results of operations by business unit.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Investment Services
                     Results of Operations by Business Unit
                                  (In Millions)

                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998             1997              1998              1997
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Business Unit:
  DLJ.........................................  $       40.7     $      176.1      $      457.1      $     459.1
  Alliance....................................          79.3             67.4             244.8             58.7
  Equitable Real Estate(1)....................           -                -                 -               14.8
  Gain on sale of ERE(2)......................           -                -                 -              249.8
  Consolidation/elimination(3)................            .5             (3.0)             19.7            (26.9)
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Earnings from Continuing Operations
  before Federal Income Taxes and
  Minority Interest(4)........................  $      120.5     $      240.5      $      721.6      $     755.5
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============
<FN>
(1)   Includes results of operations through June 10, 1997, the sale date of ERE
      to Lend Lease.

(2)   Gain on the sale of ERE is net of $2.3 million related state income tax.

(3)  Includes  the  gain  on the  exercise  of DLJ  and  Alliance  options,  the
     conversion of DLJ  restricted  stock units,  and an investment  loss in the
     aggregate  totaling $.6 million,  $6.7 million,  $43.1 million (net of $7.6
     million of state  taxes) and $6.7  million for the third  quarter and first
     nine months of 1998 and 1997, respectively,  as well as interest expense of
     $3.1  million  and $9.2  million  related to  intercompany  debt  issued by
     intermediate  holding  companies  payable to  Equitable  Life for the third
     quarters and first nine months of both 1998 and 1997, respectively.

(4)  Pre-tax minority interest related to DLJ was $15.6 million,  $50.7 million,
     $140.9  million and $130.6  million for the third  quarters  and first nine
     months of 1998 and of 1997, respectively, and $33.8 million, $28.7 million,
     $104.5  million and $24.9  million  for  Alliance  for the same  respective
     periods.
</FN>
</TABLE>

DLJ - DLJ's  pre-tax  earnings  from  continuing  operations  for the first nine
months of 1998 were $457.1 million,  down $2.0 million from the comparable prior
year  period.  Revenues  increased  $808.9  million  to  $4.12  billion  as  net
investment income increased $654.8 million, with higher underwriting revenues of
$143.4  million in the first half of 1998,  higher fee income of $358.6  million
and higher commissions of $120.8 million.  These increases were partially offset
by dealer and trading  losses of $99.7 million as compared to $332.2  million of
trading  gains for the 1997  period.  This loss arose from the impact of trading
losses and mark-to-market  valuations of its fixed maturities as well as trading
losses incurred in Russian and other emerging  markets  securities  during third
quarter  1998.  DLJ's  expenses  were $3.66 billion for the first nine months of
1998, up $810.9 million from the comparable  prior year period  primarily due to
higher  interest   expense  of  $382.3  million,   $292.0  million  increase  in
compensation  and  commissions,  $56.7  million  higher  occupancy and equipment
expenses and $24.4  million  higher  brokerage and exchange  fees.  Compensation
costs for the  first  nine  months of 1998  included  a $29.0  million  one-time
provision  for costs  associated  primarily  with  DLJ's  plans for  significant
expansion in Europe.

DLJ enters into certain  contractual  agreements  referred to as  derivatives or
off-balance-sheet financial instruments involving options, futures and forwards,
and  swap  agreements.   Substantially  all  of  DLJ's  activities   related  to
derivatives are, by their nature, trading activities which are primarily for the
purpose of customer accommodations. DLJ has focused its derivative activities on
writing OTC option  contracts to accommodate  its customers'  needs,  trading in
forward contracts in U.S. government and agency issued or guaranteed securities,

                                       23
<PAGE>

foreign  currencies,  trading  in futures  contracts  on equity  based  indices,
interest rate  instruments  and currencies and entering into swap  transactions.
DLJ's  involvement in commodity  derivative  instruments is not significant.  As
part of DLJ's trading  activities,  including trading  activities in the related
cash  instruments,  DLJ enters  into  forward and  futures  contracts  primarily
involving securities,  foreign currencies,  indices and forward rate agreements,
as well as options on futures contracts.  Such forward and futures contracts are
entered into as part of DLJ's covering  transactions  and are generally not used
for  speculative  purposes.  DLJ enters into swap  agreements to manage  foreign
currency, interest rate and equity risk.

Revenues  from  option  contracts  (net  of  related   interest   expense)  were
approximately  $84.9 million and $51.5 million for the first nine months of 1998
and  1997,  respectively.   Option  writing  revenues  are  primarily  from  the
amortization of option premiums. The notional value of written options contracts
outstanding  was  approximately  $9.0 billion and $5.8 billion at September  30,
1998 and 1997,  respectively.  The overall increase in the notional value of all
options was  primarily  due to  increases in customer  activity  related to U.S.
government and mortgage-backed  securities and currency forward contracts.  Such
written  options  contracts  are  substantially  covered  by  various  financial
instruments  that DLJ had purchased or sold as principal.  Net trading losses on
forward contracts were $21.9 million and $38.2 million and net trading losses on
futures contracts were $64.7 million and $33.3 million for the first nine months
of 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  The notional contract and market values of the
forward and futures contracts at September 30, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  September 30, 1998                     September 30, 1997
                                           ----------------------------------    -----------------------------------
                                             Purchases            Sales            Purchases             Sales
                                           ---------------    ---------------    ---------------     ---------------
                                                                        (In Millions)
<S>                                        <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>        
Forward Contracts
  (Notional Contract Value)..............  $    39,729        $     42,528       $     19,899        $    30,769
                                           ===============    ===============    ===============     ===============

Futures Contracts and Options on
  Futures Contracts (Market Value).......  $     1,393        $      2,588       $      1,724        $     2,664
                                           ===============    ===============    ===============     ===============
</TABLE>

The  increase in the  notional  value of the forward  contracts  was  attributed
primarily to foreign currency contracts entered into by the newly formed foreign
exchange  desk in third  quarter  1998.  The notional  (contract)  value of swap
agreements  was  approximately   $6.0  billion  at  September  30,  1998.  DLJ's
involvement in swap contracts at September 30, 1997 was not significant.

The notional or contract amounts indicate the extent of DLJ's involvement in the
derivative  instruments.  They do not measure DLJ's exposure to market or credit
risk and do not represent the future cash requirements of such contracts.

DLJ's trading VAR was approximately $23 million and $11 million at September 30,
1998  and  December  31,  1997,  respectively.  The  value at risk  increase  at
September 30, 1998 is due to the dramatic  increase in volatility across a broad
range of financial instruments.  DLJ's VAR for non-trading market risk sensitive
instruments is not significant.

Alliance - Alliance's pre-tax earnings from continuing  operations for the first
nine months of 1998 were $244.8  million,  an  increase  from  earnings of $58.7
million from the prior year's comparable period. Revenues totaled $971.3 million
for the first  nine  months of 1998,  an  increase  of $275.8  million  from the
comparable  period in 1997,  due to  increased  investment  advisory and service
fees.  Alliance's costs and expenses  increased $87.2 million for the first nine
months of 1998 as the effect of the  abovementioned  $120.9 million writedown of
intangible assets in 1997 was more than offset by higher promotion and servicing
expenses  of  $111.3   million,   an  increase  of  $59.8  million  in  employee
compensation  and  benefits  and  higher  general  and  administrative  expenses
including costs related to Year 2000 compliance.

                                       24
<PAGE>

Fees From Assets Under  Management - As the following table  illustrates,  third
party clients represent the primary source of revenues and earnings.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Fees and Assets Under Management
                                  (In Millions)

                                                                                            At or For the
                                                       Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                      September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                     1998             1997              1998              1997
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        
Fees:
  Third Party
    Unaffiliated third parties................  $      247.0     $      182.4      $      742.2      $     553.6
    Separate Accounts.........................          24.0             22.0              72.5             58.2
  The Equitable...............................          11.1             12.0              36.3             62.6
                                                ---------------  ----------------  ---------------   ---------------
Total.........................................  $      282.1     $      216.4      $      851.0      $     674.4
                                                ===============  ================  ===============   ===============

Assets Under Management:
  Third Party
    Unaffiliated third parties................                                     $   212,469       $  178,027
    Separate Accounts.........................                                          32,946           34,451
  The Equitable...............................                                          59,346           60,242
                                                                                   ---------------   ---------------
Total.........................................                                     $   304,761       $  272,720
                                                                                   ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

Fees from assets under  management  increased  for the first nine months of 1998
from the  comparable  1997  period  principally  as a result of growth in assets
under  management  for  third  parties.  Alliance's  third  party  assets  under
management  increased  by  $25.2  billion  from the  September  30,  1997  total
principally due to mutual fund sales and market  appreciation but declined $20.5
billion compared to the June 30, 1998 total primarily due to negative  quarterly
market performance.

For the first nine months of 1997, fees received for assets under  management by
ERE totaled  $94.1  million,  of which $63.7  million  was  received  from third
parties.


CONTINUING OPERATIONS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

The  continuing  operations  investment  portfolio  is  composed  of the General
Account investment portfolio and investment assets of the Holding Company Group.
The General  Account's  portfolio  is  discussed  first,  followed by a separate
discussion on the Holding Company Group investments.

                                       25
<PAGE>

General Account Investment Portfolio

The discussion of the General  Account  portfolio  analyzes the results of major
investment  asset  categories,  including the Closed  Block's  investments.  The
following  table  reconciles  the  consolidated  balance  sheet asset amounts to
General Account Investment Assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        General Account Investment Assets
                      Carrying Values at September 30, 1998
                                  (In Millions)

                                                                                                          General
                                        Balance                                            Holding        Account
                                         Sheet            Closed                           Company       Investment
Balance Sheet Captions:                  Total            Block            Other            Group        Assets(1)
- ----------------------------------- ----------------   -------------   ---------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>                   <C>    
Fixed maturities:
  Available for sale(2)...........  $   21,148.8       $   4,458.2     $    (133.5)     $     662.4     $   25,078.1
  Held to maturity(2).............         262.0               -               -              126.5            135.5
Trading account securities........      16,756.0               -          16,756.0              -                -
Securities purchased under
  resale agreements...............      20,845.4               -          20,845.4              -                -
Mortgage loans on real estate.....       2,552.0           1,577.4             -                -            4,129.4
Equity real estate................       2,106.5             132.6            (3.0)             -            2,242.1
Policy loans......................       2,050.2           1,652.4             -                -            3,702.6
Other equity investments..........       1,138.3              64.8           455.0               .1            748.0
Other invested assets.............       1,002.0            (131.0)          227.5            188.0            455.5
                                    ----------------   -------------   ---------------  --------------  -------------
  Total investments...............      67,861.2           7,754.4        38,147.4            977.0         36,491.2
Cash and cash equivalents.........       1,356.2               6.9         1,187.9           (138.2)           313.4
                                    ----------------   -------------   ---------------  --------------  -------------

Total.............................  $   69,217.4       $   7,761.3     $  39,335.3      $     838.8     $   36,804.6
                                    ================   =============   ===============  ==============  =============
<FN>
(1)  General Account Investment Assets are computed by adding the amounts in the
     Balance  Sheet and  Closed  Block  columns  and  subtracting  the Other and
     Holding Company Group amounts.

(2)  At  September  30,  1998,  the  amortized  cost  of the  General  Account's
     available  for sale and held to  maturity  fixed  maturity  portfolios  was
     $23.85 billion and $135.5 million, respectively, compared with an estimated
     market value of $25.08 billion and $135.5 million, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The General Account  Investment  Assets  presentation set forth in the following
pages  includes the  investments  of the Closed Block on a  line-by-line  basis.
Management  believes it is appropriate to discuss the  information on a combined
basis in view of the  similar  asset  quality  characteristics  of  major  asset
categories in the portfolios.

                                       26
<PAGE>

General Account Investment Assets by Category

The following table shows the amortized cost,  valuation  allowances and the net
amortized cost of the major categories of General Account  Investment  Assets at
September 30, 1998 and the net amortized cost at December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         General Account Investment Assets
                                               (Dollars In Millions)

                                                  September 30, 1998                             December 31, 1997
                              -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                                                % of                            % of
                                                                  Net        Total Net          Net          Total Net
                                Amortized      Valuation       Amortized     Amortized       Amortized       Amortized
                                   Cost        Allowances         Cost          Cost            Cost            Cost
                              --------------- -------------   ------------- -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                           <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>         <C>                <C> 
Fixed maturities(1).......... $   23,984.7    $      -        $  23,984.7        67.4%      $  22,914.5          65.0%
Mortgages....................      4,166.9          37.5          4,129.4        11.6           3,953.0          11.2
Equity real estate...........      2,520.3         278.2          2,242.1         6.3           2,637.8           7.5
Other equity investments.....        748.0           -              748.0         2.1           1,037.5           2.9
Policy loans.................      3,702.6           -            3,702.6        10.4           4,123.1          11.7
Cash and short-term
  investments................        768.9           -              768.9         2.2             607.6           1.7
                              --------------- -------------   ------------- -------------   -------------   -------------
Total........................ $   35,891.4    $    315.7      $  35,575.7       100.0%      $  35,273.5         100.0%
                              =============== =============   ============= =============   =============   =============
<FN>
(1)  Excludes  unrealized  gains of $1.23  billion  and $1.07  billion  in fixed
     maturities  classified  as  available  for sale at  September  30, 1998 and
     December 31, 1997, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       27
<PAGE>

Investment Results of General Account Investment Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          
                                                         Investment Results by Asset Category
                                                                 (Dollars In Millions)

                                 Three Months Ended September 30,                      Nine Months Ended September 30,
                         --------------------------------------------------   --------------------------------------------------
                                  1998                      1997                       1998                      1997
                         ------------------------  ------------------------   ------------------------  ------------------------
                            (1)                       (1)                        (1)                       (1)
                           Yield       Amount        Yield       Amount         Yield      Amount         Yield       Amount
                         ---------- -------------  ---------- -------------   --------- --------------  ---------- -------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>            <C>       <C>              <C>      <C>             <C>         <C> 
Fixed Maturities:
  Income..............     7.77%    $    464.8       7.88%    $     457.7       7.81%   $   1,382.1       7.93%    $  1,340.1
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....    (0.66)%        (39.5)      0.64%           37.4      (0.02)%         (2.8)      0.49%          82.8
                         ---------- -------------  ---------- -------------   -------- ---------------  ---------- -------------
  Total...............     7.11%    $    425.3       8.52%    $     495.1       7.79%   $   1,379.3       8.42%    $  1,422.9
  Ending Assets.......              $ 23,984.7                $  23,942.2               $  23,984.7                $ 23,942.2
Mortgages:
  Income..............     8.96%    $     90.4       8.81%    $      90.0       9.15%   $     273.8       9.35%    $    298.5
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....     0.13%           1.3      (0.54)%          (5.5)     (0.11)%         (3.1)     (0.26)%         (8.5)
                         ---------- -------------  ---------- -------------   --------- ---------------  --------- -------------
  Total...............     9.09%    $     91.7       8.27%    $      84.5       9.04%   $     270.7       9.09%    $    290.0
  Ending Assets.......              $  4,129.4                $   3,998.1               $   4,129.4                $  3,998.1
Equity Real
  Estate (2):
  Income..............     8.83%    $     42.2       2.55%    $      17.1       7.07%   $     104.3       2.50%    $     50.7
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....     5.40%          25.8      (7.31)%         (49.1)      2.20%          32.3      (3.15)%        (63.8)
                         ---------- ------------- ----------- -------------   --------- --------------  ---------- -------------
  Total...............    14.23%    $     68.0      (4.76)%   $     (32.0)      9.27%   $     136.6      (0.65)%   $    (13.1)
  Ending Assets.......              $  1,845.4                $   2,602.2               $   1,845.4                $  2,602.2
Other Equity
  Investments:
  Income..............    (1.59)%   $     (3.7)     23.12%    $      58.0      10.18%   $      75.9      15.90%    $    116.3
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....     1.42%           3.3       1.32%            3.3       4.93%          36.8       1.33%           9.7
                         ---------- ------------- ----------- -------------   -------- ---------------  ---------- -------------
  Total...............    (0.17)%   $     (0.4)     24.44%    $      61.3      15.11%   $     112.7      17.23%    $    126.0
  Ending Assets.......              $    748.0                $   1,021.4               $     748.0                $  1,021.4
Policy Loans:
  Income..............     6.57%    $     60.5       7.02%    $      72.2       6.63%   $     188.0       6.97%    $    212.3
  Ending Assets.......              $  3,702.6                $   4,152.0               $   3,702.6                $  4,152.0
Cash and Short-term
  Investments:
  Income..............     7.68%    $     12.7       7.21%    $      13.5       9.83%   $      49.8       8.23%    $     37.8
  Ending Assets.......              $    768.9                $     968.1               $     768.9                $    968.1
Total:
  Income..............     7.59%    $    666.9       7.90%    $     708.5       7.90%   $   2,073.9       7.80%    $  2,055.7
  Investment
    Gains/(Losses)....    (0.10)%         (9.1)     (0.16)%         (13.9)      0.24%          63.2       0.08%          20.2
                         ---------- ------------- ----------- -------------   --------- --------------  ---------- -------------
  Total(3)............     7.49%    $    657.8       7.74%    $     694.6       8.14%   $   2,137.1       7.88%    $  2,075.9
  Ending Assets.......              $ 35,179.0                $  36,684.0               $  35,179.0                $ 36,684.0
<FN>
(1)  Yields have been annualized and calculated  based on the quarterly  average
     asset  carrying  values  excluding   unrealized  gains  (losses)  in  fixed
     maturities.  Annualized  yields are not  necessarily  indicative  of a full
     year's results.

                                       28
<PAGE>

(2)  Equity  real estate  carrying  values are shown net of third party debt and
     minority interest in real estate. Equity real estate income is shown net of
     operating expenses, depreciation, third party interest expense and minority
     interest.  Depreciation totaled $5.9 million,  $21.0 million, $25.3 million
     and $62.9 million for the three months and the nine months ended  September
     30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

(3)  Total yields are shown before deducting  investment fees paid to investment
     advisors.  These fees include asset management,  acquisition,  disposition,
     accounting  and legal fees. If  investment  fees had been  deducted,  total
     yields would have been 7.26%,  7.47%,  7.89% and 7.60% for the three months
     and the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Writedowns  on fixed  maturities  were $70.3  million and $15.0  million for the
first nine  months of 1998 and 1997,  respectively;  writedowns  on equity  real
estate  during the first nine months of 1997 were $4.1  million.  The  following
table shows asset valuation allowances and additions to and deductions from such
allowances  for  mortgages  and equity  real estate for the first nine months of
1998 and 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         General Account Investment Assets
                                               Valuation Allowances
                                                   (In Millions)

                                                                                    Equity Real
                                                                  Mortgages            Estate             Total
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
<S>                                                             <C>                <C>                <C>        
September 30, 1998
Beginning balances............................................  $     74.3         $     345.5        $     419.8
Additions.....................................................        14.5                55.1               69.6
Deductions(1).................................................       (51.3)             (122.4)            (173.7)
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
Ending Balances...............................................  $     37.5         $     278.2        $     315.7
                                                                ===============    ===============    ==============

September 30, 1997
Beginning balances............................................  $     64.2         $      90.4        $     154.6
Additions.....................................................        34.8                72.0              106.8
Deductions(1).................................................       (33.8)              (36.7)             (70.5)
                                                                ---------------    ---------------    --------------
Ending Balances...............................................  $     65.2         $     125.7        $     190.9
                                                                ===============    ===============    ==============
<FN>
(1) Primarily  reflected  releases of allowances due to asset  dispositions  and
    writedowns.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Fixed Maturities.  Fixed maturities  consist of publicly traded debt securities,
privately  placed debt  securities  and small  amounts of  redeemable  preferred
stock, which represented 74.8%, 24.4% and 0.8%,  respectively,  of the amortized
cost of this asset category at September 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Fixed Maturities By Credit Quality
                                               (Dollars In Millions)

                                            September 30, 1998                         December 31, 1997
               Rating Agency      ---------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
  NAIC          Equivalent          Amortized       % of     Estimated         Amortized        % of      Estimated
 Rating         Designation            Cost        Total     Fair Value           Cost         Total     Fair Value
- ---------- ---------------------- --------------- --------- -------------   ----------------- --------- --------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>     <C>             <C>                 <C>     <C>        
    1-2    Aaa/Aa/A and Baa...... $  20,566.2        85.7%  $  22,044.9     $  19,488.9          85.0%  $  20,425.3
    3-6    Ba and lower..........     3,227.2(1)     13.5       2,937.3         3,294.9(2)       14.4       3,395.4
                                  ------------  ---------- ---------------  ------------      --------- -------------

Subtotal........................     23,793.4        99.2      24,982.2        22,783.8          99.4      23,820.7
Redeemable preferred stock
  and other.....................        191.3         0.8         231.4           130.7           0.6         166.2
                                  ------------  ---------- ---------------  ------------  ------------- -------------
Total...........................  $  23,984.7       100.0%  $  25,213.6     $  22,914.5         100.0%  $  23,986.9
                                  ============  ========== ===============  ============  ============= =============
<FN>
(1)  Includes Class B Notes with an amortized cost of $85.6 million, eliminated in consolidation.
(2)  Includes Class B Notes with an amortized cost of $95.2 million, eliminated in consolidation.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       29
<PAGE>

At September 30, 1998,  The Equitable  held CMOs with an amortized cost of $2.26
billion,  including  $2.13  billion in publicly  traded CMOs.  In  addition,  at
September 30, 1998,  The Equitable  held $2.89 billion of mortgage  pass-through
securities  (GNMA,  FNMA or FHLMC  securities)  and also held  $1.48  billion of
public and private  asset  backed  securities,  primarily  backed by home equity
mortgages, airline and other equipment, and credit card receivables.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Fixed Maturities
                                  Problems, Potential Problems and Restructureds
                                                  Amortized Cost
                                                   (In Millions)

                                                                                 September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                     1998                1997
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>          
FIXED MATURITIES..............................................................  $   23,984.7       $    22,914.5
Problem fixed maturities......................................................          93.8                31.0
Potential problem fixed maturities............................................          54.4                17.9
Restructured fixed maturities(1)..............................................           -                   1.8
<FN>
(1)  Excludes  restructured  fixed  maturities  of $2.5 million that are shown as
     problems at both  September  30, 1998 and December 31, 1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The $62.8  million  increase in problem fixed  maturities  from the December 31,
1997 total  principally  resulted from a $48.3  million  increase in the private
high yield security  category and a $13.2 million  increase for emerging  market
securities.  The increase of $36.5 million in potential problem fixed maturities
was primarily in the public high yield category.

Mortgages. Mortgages consist of commercial,  agricultural and residential loans.
At September 30, 1998,  commercial mortgages totaled $2.37 billion (56.8% of the
amortized cost of the category),  agricultural  loans were $1.80 billion (43.2%)
and residential loans were $1.6 million (0.0%).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Mortgages
                                  Problems, Potential Problems and Restructureds
                                                  Amortized Cost
                                                   (In Millions)

                                                                                 September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                     1998                1997
                                                                                ----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>          
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES..........................................................  $   2,366.0        $     2,305.8
Problem commercial mortgages..................................................          -                   19.3
Potential problem commercial mortgages........................................        148.1                180.9
Restructured commercial mortgages(1)..........................................        120.5                194.9

AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGES........................................................  $   1,799.3        $     1,719.2
Problem agricultural mortgages................................................         13.9                 12.2
Potential problem agricultural mortgages......................................          -                    -
Restructured agricultural mortgages...........................................          4.7                  1.1

<FN>
(1)  Excludes  $19.9  million  and  $57.9  million  of  restructured  commercial
     mortgages  that are shown as potential  problems at September  30, 1998 and
     December 31, 1997, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Potential problem loans declined primarily due to foreclosures. During the first
nine months of 1998,  the  amortized  cost of  foreclosed  commercial  mortgages
totaled $38.1 million with a $33.5 million  reduction in amortized cost required
at the time of foreclosure.

                                       30
<PAGE>

The original  weighted average coupon rate on the $120.5 million of restructured
mortgages  was  8.7%.  As a result  of these  restructurings,  the  restructured
weighted average coupon rate was 7.6% and the restructured weighted average cash
payment  rate  was  8.3%.  The  foregone  interest  on  restructured  commercial
mortgages (including  restructured  commercial mortgages presented as problem or
potential  problem  commercial  mortgages) for the first nine months of 1998 was
$1.1 million.

As of  September  30,  1998,  there were no problem  commercial  mortgages.  The
distribution  of potential  problem  commercial  mortgages by property type was:
multi-family  ($114.9 million or 77.6%),  retail ($18.7 million or 12.6%), hotel
($12.8  million or 8.6%),  industrial  ($1.4  million or 1.0%) and office  ($0.3
million or 0.2%). By state,  their  distribution was: New York ($63.8 million or
43.1%),  Massachusetts  ($26.8 million or 18.1%),  Puerto Rico ($18.8 million or
12.7%) and  Pennsylvania  ($18.0  million or 12.2%).  No other state had 5.0% or
more of the total.

At September 30, 1998 and 1997,  management  identified  impaired mortgage loans
with carrying  values of $161.3 million and $249.7  million,  respectively.  The
provision  for losses for these  impaired  mortgage  loans was $32.5 million and
$60.9  million at September  30, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  Income earned on
these  loans in the first  nine  months of 1998 and 1997 was $13.1  million  and
$19.9 million, respectively,  including cash received of $12.9 million and $17.6
million, respectively.

For the first nine months of 1998, scheduled principal amortization payments and
prepayments on commercial  mortgage loans received aggregated $335.8 million. In
addition,  during the first nine months of 1998,  $135.7  million of  commercial
mortgage loan maturity payments were scheduled, of which $64.1 million were paid
as due. Of the amount not paid, $69.0 million were granted short term extensions
of up to nine months and $2.2  million were  extended for a weighted  average of
2.5 years at a weighted average interest rate of 8.0%.

Equity Real Estate.  As of September 30, 1998,  on the basis of amortized  cost,
the equity real estate  category  included $1.62 billion (or 64.4%)  acquired as
investment real estate and $897.1 million (or 35.6%) acquired through or in lieu
of foreclosure (including in-substance foreclosures).

Management  announced  in January  1998 plans to  accelerate  equity real estate
sales over the next  twelve to fifteen  months.  During the first nine months of
1998 and  1997,  respectively,  proceeds  from the sale of  equity  real  estate
totaled $483.2 million and $228.9 million, with gains of $86.8 million and $13.5
million.  At  September  30, 1998,  equity real estate with a carrying  value of
$1.19  billion  was  classified  as  held  for  sale  ($1.53  billion  including
discontinued operations' total).

At September 30, 1998, the vacancy rate for The  Equitable's  office  properties
was 9.1% in  total,  with a  vacancy  rate of 6.2% for  properties  acquired  as
investment real estate and 19.4% for properties  acquired  through  foreclosure.
The national  commercial  office  vacancy rate was 9.2% (as of June 30, 1998) as
measured by CB Commercial.

Other Equity  Investments.  Other equity investments  consist of LBO, mezzanine,
venture capital and other limited partnership interests ($446.3 million or 59.7%
of the amortized  cost of this  portfolio at September  30,  1998),  alternative
limited partnerships ($163.1 million or 21.8%) and common stock and other equity
securities  ($138.6  million  or  18.5%).   Alternative  funds  utilize  trading
strategies  that may be leveraged,  and attempt to protect  against  market risk
through a variety of methods,  including short sales, financial futures, options
and  other  derivative   instruments.   Other  equity   investments  can  create
significant  volatility  in  investment  income  since  they  predominantly  are
accounted  for in accordance  with the equity method which treats  increases and
decreases in the  estimated  fair value of the  underlying  assets (or allocable
portion thereof,  in the case of partnerships),  whether realized or unrealized,
as investment  income or loss to The  Equitable.  Though not reported in General
Account  Investment  Assets, the excess of Separate Account assets over Separate
Accounts  liabilities  at September  30, 1998 of $91.3  million  represented  an
investment by the General Account  principally in equity securities.  During the
third  quarter  of 1998,  $373.6  million of amounts  invested  in the  Separate
Account equity funds were withdrawn and the proceeds were  reinvested in General
Account Investment Assets. As demonstrated by the market volatility and negative
returns  experienced in third quarter 1998,  returns on equity  investments  are
very volatile and investment  results for any period are not  representative  of
any other period.

                                       31
<PAGE>

Holding Company Group Investment Portfolio - Continuing Operations

For the first nine months of 1998, Holding Company Group investment results were
$43.1  million,  as compared to $38.2  million in the year earlier  period.  The
increase  principally  was  due to  higher  investment  income  on  the  Holding
Company's larger fixed maturities portfolio including $591.1 million received in
April 1998 from the  issuance of senior  notes and  debentures  offset by $145.0
million used to repurchase treasury shares in third quarter 1998.

At September 30, 1998, the Holding Company Group investment  portfolio's  $838.8
million carrying value was made up of $788.9 million of fixed maturities ($637.4
million with an NAIC 1 rating), $49.8 million of cash and short-term investments
and $0.1  million  of other  equity  investments.  At  December  31,  1997,  the
portfolio's carrying value was $524.0 million,  which included $490.6 million of
fixed maturities  ($418.1 million with an NAIC 1 or 2 rating),  $24.3 million of
cash and short-term investments and $9.1 million of other equity investments.


YEAR 2000

Year 2000 compliance efforts continue at Equitable Life, DLJ and Alliance.

Insurance  Operations - Equitable  Life began  addressing the Year 2000 issue in
1995. In addition to  significant  internal  resources,  third parties have been
assisting in remediating and testing computer  hardware and software  ("computer
systems") and embedded  systems and in overall  project  control.  The following
process has been undertaken:

(1)  Equitable Life  established a Year 2000 project  office,  which developed a
     strategic  approach and created broad  awareness of the Year 2000 issues at
     Equitable  Life through  meetings with the Audit  Committee of the Board of
     Directors and executive and senior  management,  presentations  to business
     areas and employee newsletters.

(2)  Corporate-developed computer systems were inventoried and assessed for Year
     2000  compliance.  Third party providers of computer  systems and services,
     including  embedded  systems,  were contacted.  Approximately  60% of those
     contacted have responded that their systems or services are or will be Year
     2000  compliant.  Those who have not responded have been contacted a second
     time.

(3)  Management  expects the  remediation  or  replacement  of  mission-critical
     corporate-developed  computer systems to be substantially  complete by year
     end 1998 and expects the work of remediating or replacing all non-compliant
     corporate-developed systems to be substantially completed by June 30, 1999.
     Management  continues  to  monitor  Year  2000  compliance  by third  party
     providers of computer systems,  including  embedded systems,  and services.
     Management  believes  it is on  schedule  for such  systems  and  services,
     including those considered  mission-critical,  to be confirmed as Year 2000
     compliant, remediated, replaced or the subject of contingency plans, by the
     end of second quarter 1999.

(4)  Year 2000  compliance  testing is an ongoing  three-part  process:  after a
     system has been  modified,  it is tested to determine if it still  performs
     its intended business function  correctly;  next, it undergoes a simulation
     test using dates  occurring  after  December  31,  1999;  last,  integrated
     systems  tests are  scheduled  to verify that the systems  continue to work
     together with the computers'  internal clocks set to post December 31, 1999
     dates.  All  significant  automated data interfaces with third parties will
     also be tested for Year 2000  compliance,  including  those with Lend Lease
     and Alliance,  who provide  material  investment  management and accounting
     services for Equitable Life's general and certain of its separate accounts.
     Mission-critical  systems will undergo date simulation testing beginning in
     first quarter 1999 with initial integrated systems testing of the Year 2000
     compliance in the first half of 1999. Such testing will continue throughout
     1999 as needed.  Equitable  Life may retain  third  parties to assist  with
     selective verification of the Year 2000 compliance of certain systems.

(5)  Existing  business  continuity  and disaster  recovery  plans cover certain
     categories  of  contingencies  that  could  arise as a result  of Year 2000
     related   failures.   These  plans  are  being   supplemented   to  address
     contingencies unique to the millennium change.  Management anticipates that
     Year 2000 specific contingency plans will be developed by the end of second
     quarter  1999.  Equitable  Life may retain  third  parties  to assist  with
     planning for contingencies.

                                       32
<PAGE>

Equitable Life's Year 2000 compliance project is currently estimated to cost $30
million  through  the end of  1999,  of which  approximately  $23.4  million  is
expected to have been incurred  through the end of 1998.  Costs will be paid out
of operating funds.  Equitable Life's new computer  application  development and
procurement  have not been  subject to any delay caused in whole or part by Year
2000  efforts  that  is  expected  to  have a  material  adverse  effect  on The
Equitable's financial condition or results of operations.

Investment  Subsidiaries - DLJ and Alliance's  Year 2000 related  activities and
progress to date are summarized  below. The costs of their Year 2000 efforts are
being funded by operating cash flows with costs being expensed as incurred.  For
further  information,  see their respective filings on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1998.

DLJ - As a result of DLJ's recent  business  expansion and  headquarters'  move,
many of its computer  systems are Year 2000  compliant.  Year 2000 project plans
have been developed and management oversight groups and project managers monitor
DLJ's decentralized implementation of those plans for its information technology
("IT") and non-IT  systems.  At  September  30,  1998,  these  systems have been
inventoried and non-compliant  mission-critical systems have been targeted first
for remediation.  DLJ has retained several major consulting firms with expertise
in advising  corporations  on Year 2000 issues and their potential  impact.  The
correspondent  clearing  business  expects  to have  all  non-compliant  systems
renovated,  tested and returned to  production  by December 31, 1998.  All other
mission-critical  systems are  expected to  complete  that  process by March 31,
1999, followed by  non-mission-critical  systems by June 30, 1999. None of DLJ's
other IT projects  have been delayed as a result of the Year 2000  project.  DLJ
has identified all  significant  third parties and has received  assurances they
are taking the necessary steps to prepare for the Year 2000.  Additionally,  DLJ
participates in testing sponsored by a securities industry association. To date,
DLJ has  achieved  successful  results  in each of the  tests  in  which  it has
participated  and, as noted above,  all such testing should be completed by June
30, 1999. Testing of internal and external systems will continue throughout 1999
to ensure all remediated systems remain compliant.

DLJ  currently  estimates its Year 2000 costs will range between $85 million and
$90 million,  with $71 million  incurred  through  September 30, 1998. While its
correspondent  clearance  business has a formal general  contingency  plan which
covers a variety of events,  DLJ expects to develop a formal Year 2000  specific
contingency plan in first quarter 1999.

Alliance - During 1997, Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative, managed by
a Year 2000 project office and focusing on both IT and non-IT systems.  Alliance
has  retained  a number of  consulting  firms with  expertise  in  advising  and
assisting  clients with regard to Year 2000 issues.  By June 30, 1998,  Alliance
had  completed an inventory  and  assessment  of its domestic and  international
computer  systems,  identified  its  mission-critical  and  non-mission-critical
systems,  and  determined  which of these  systems  is not Year 2000  compliant.
Alliance has remediated most of its non-compliant  mission-critical  systems and
expects the remediation phase for all mission-critical  systems will be complete
by February 28, 1999. Remediation of non-mission-critical systems is expected to
be completed by June 30, 1999. Alliance has completed the business functionality
and  the   post-December   31,  1999  testing  for   approximately  65%  of  its
mission-critical  systems  and  approximately  70% of  its  non-mission-critical
systems.  Full  integration  testing  of all  remediated  systems  and  tests of
interfaces  with third  party  suppliers  will begin in first  quarter  1999 and
continue throughout that year. Alliance is inventorying,  evaluating and testing
its technical  infrastructure  and corporate  facilities  and expects them to be
fully  operable in the Year 2000.  Certain  other  planned IT projects have been
deferred  until after the Year 2000  initiative is completed.  Such delay is not
expected to have a material adverse effect on Alliance's  financial condition or
results of operations.

Alliance  estimates its cost of the Year 2000  initiative will range between $40
million and $45 million. Such costs consist principally of remediation costs and
costs to develop a formal Year 2000  specific  contingency  plan.  Through third
quarter 1998, Alliance has incurred approximately $17 million of those costs.

                                       33
<PAGE>

Risks - There are many risks  associated  with Year 2000 issues,  including  the
risk that The Equitable's  computer systems will not operate as intended.  There
can be no  assurance  that the systems,  services and products of third  parties
will be Year 2000 compliant.  Likewise, there can be no assurance the compliance
schedules outlined above will be met.

Any  significant  unresolved  difficulties  related to the Year 2000  compliance
initiatives could result in an interruption in, or a failure of, normal business
activities or operations, or the incurrence of unanticipated expenses related to
resolving  such  difficulties,  regulatory  actions,  damage to The  Equitable's
franchise and legal liabilities and, accordingly,  could have a material adverse
effect on The Equitable's  business operations and financial results. Due to the
pervasive  nature,  the external as well as internal  interdependencies  and the
inherent  risks and  uncertainties  of Year 2000 issues,  The  Equitable  cannot
determine  which  risks are most  reasonably  likely to occur,  if any,  nor the
effects of any particular failure to be Year 2000 compliant.

The  forward-looking  statements under "Year 2000" should be read in conjunction
with the disclosure set forth under "Forward-Looking  Statements" on page 36. To
the fullest  extent  permitted by law, the foregoing  Year 2000  discussion is a
"Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" within the meaning of The Year 2000 Information
and Readiness Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1 (1998).


EURO CURRENCY

On  January 1,  1999,  conversion  rates of the  national  currencies  of eleven
European  Union  members will be fixed against the common  currency,  called the
Euro.  DLJ is  assessing  the  impact  of the Euro  conversion  and  expects  to
implement  the  necessary  changes to  mitigate  the risks  associated  with the
conversion by December 31, 1998. Alliance has assessed its internally  developed
and  purchased  applications  to  determine  the changes  needed to process Euro
denominated  transactions.  Alliance also expects the requisite modifications to
be  completed  and tested by  December  31,  1998.  Should  Alliance's  computer
applications be unable to process Euro sensitive information accurately in 1999,
its ability to conduct its operations  could be  significantly  impaired.  Costs
associated with the Euro conversion  projects are not expected to be material to
The Equitable's financial results.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In April 1998,  the Holding  Company  completed  an offering  under its existing
shelf  registration  of $250.0  million 6 1/2% Senior  Notes due 2008 and $350.0
million  7%  Senior  Debentures  due 2028  (together  the "1998  Senior  Debt"),
resulting  in net  proceeds of $591.1  million to be used for general  corporate
purposes.  Pre-tax  debt  service  on the 1998  Senior  Debt is  expected  to be
approximately  $29.9 million in 1998, and approximately  $40.8 million per annum
thereafter.

On May 13, 1998,  the Holding  Company's  Board of Directors  authorized a stock
repurchase  program pursuant to which the Holding Company may repurchase up to 8
million  shares of its  Common  Stock  from  time to time in the open  market or
through  privately  negotiated  transactions.   In  September  1998,  the  Board
increased the share  authorization  to 15 million.  At September  30, 1998,  the
Holding  Company had repurchased 2.6 million shares of Common Stock at a cost of
$145.0 million. In connection with its stock repurchase  program,  during second
quarter the Holding Company privately placed put options entitling the holder to
sell up to 1 million shares of Common Stock to the Holding  Company at specified
prices upon exercise of the options.  Upon exercise of a portion of the options,
The Equitable purchased 200,000 shares for $13.2 million.  The remaining 800,000
of such options were outstanding at September 30, 1998.

During the first nine months of 1998, DLJ issued $650.0 million of 6 1/2% senior
notes,  $450.0 million  aggregate  principal  amount of senior secured notes and
$250.0 million  medium-term  notes.  In addition,  DLJ repaid the $325.0 million
which  had been  outstanding  under its  senior  subordinated  revolving  credit
agreement and terminated the related facility.

                                       34
<PAGE>

In July 1998,  DLJ sold an aggregate of 5 million  shares of newly issued common
stock to the Holding Company (1.8 million shares for $110.0 million),  Equitable
Life (1.5 million  shares for $90.0  million)  and AXA (1.7  million  shares for
$100.0 million). On an undiluted basis, The Equitable's ownership percentage was
approximately 73% following these purchases.

Equitable  Life has a  commercial  paper  program  with an issue  limit of up to
$500.0 million.  This program is available for general corporate purposes and is
supported by Equitable  Life's  existing  $350.0  million bank credit  facility,
which expires in September  2000.  Equitable Life uses this program from time to
time in its  liquidity  management.  At September 30, 1998,  $125.0  million was
outstanding under the commercial paper program;  no amount was outstanding under
the revolving credit facility.

On March 16, 1998,  members of the NAIC approved its  Codification  of Statutory
Accounting Principles ("Codification") project. Codification provides regulators
and insurers with uniform statutory  guidance,  addressing areas where statutory
accounting  previously  was  silent  and  changing  certain  existing  statutory
positions.  Equitable Life will be subject to  Codification to the extent and in
the form adopted in New York State,  which would require  action by both the New
York  legislature and the New York Insurance  Department.  It is not possible to
predict whether, in what form, or when Codification will be adopted in New York,
and  accordingly  it is not  possible to predict the effect of  Codification  on
Equitable Life.

Consolidated Cash Flows

The net cash used by operating  activities  was $2.06 billion for the first nine
months of 1998 compared to $3.05 billion for the same period in 1997.  Cash used
by operating activities in the respective 1998 and 1997 periods principally were
attributable  to the  respective  $2.37  billion and $3.78 billion net change in
trading  activities  and  broker-dealer  related   receivables/payables  at  DLJ
reflecting increases in operating assets.

Net cash used by  investing  activities  was $411.0  million  for the first nine
months of 1998 as compared to $193.1 million for the same period in 1997. In the
1998 period,  investment purchases exceeded sales,  maturities and repayments by
$387.8  million.  Discontinued  operations  repaid $300.0  million of loans from
continuing  operations  during  the  first  nine  months  of  1998.  During  the
comparable period in 1997,  investment purchases exceeded sales,  maturities and
repayments   by  $518.0   million.   The  ERE  sale  produced  net  proceeds  of
approximately  $261.0 million.  Discontinued  operations reduced its outstanding
loans from continuing  operations by $336.2 million during the first nine months
of 1997.

Net cash provided by financing  activities  was $3.23 billion for the first nine
months of 1998 as compared to $3.93 billion in the first nine months of 1997. In
the first nine months of 1998,  withdrawals from General Account  policyholders'
account  balances  exceeded  deposits by $247.4  million.  During the first nine
months of 1998,  cash  provided by the issuance of long-term  debt totaled $1.97
billion  principally due to the $1.10 billion and $600.0 million of senior notes
issued by DLJ and the Holding  Company,  respectively.  Also in the 1998 period,
there was a net increase of $1.98 billion in short-term  financing,  principally
at DLJ,  partially  offset by $495.5 million from  repayment of long-term  debt,
principally  DLJ's senior  subordinate  revolving  credit.  Net cash provided by
financing  activities  during the first nine months of 1997  primarily  resulted
from a $3.65 billion increase in short-term  financings,  principally due to net
repurchase  agreement  activity.  There was a net increase of long-term  debt of
$687.9  million  primarily  due to new  debt at DLJ.  Withdrawals  from  General
Account  policyholders'  account  balances  exceeded  deposits by $390.7 million
during the nine months ended September 30, 1997.

The operating, investing and financing activities described above resulted in an
increase  in cash and cash  equivalents  during the first nine months of 1998 of
$758.8 million to $1.36 billion.

                                       35
<PAGE>

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The  Equitable's  management has made in this report,  and from time to time may
make in its public filings and press  releases as well as in oral  presentations
and   discussions,   forward-looking   statements   concerning  The  Equitable's
operations,  economic  performance  and  financial  condition.   Forward-looking
statements include,  among other things,  discussions concerning The Equitable's
potential   exposure  to  market  risks,   as  well  as  statements   expressing
management's  expectations,   beliefs,  estimates,  forecasts,  projections  and
assumptions,  as indicated by words such as "believes,"  "estimates," "intends,"
"anticipates,"  "expects,"  "projects,"  "should," "probably," "risk," "target,"
"goals,"  "objectives,"  or  similar  expressions.   The  Equitable  claims  the
protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking  statements contained
in the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and assumes no duty to
update any forward-looking statement.  Forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and  uncertainties.  Actual  results  could differ  materially  from those
anticipated by  forward-looking  statements due to a number of important factors
including those discussed  elsewhere in this report and in The Equitable's other
public  filings,  press  releases,  oral  presentations  and discussions and the
following:  (i) the intensity of competition from other financial  institutions;
(ii) secular trends and The Equitable's  mortality,  morbidity,  persistency and
claims  experience;  (iii) The  Equitable's  ability to develop,  distribute and
administer competitive products and services in a timely, cost-effective manner;
(iv) The Equitable's  visibility in the marketplace and its financial and claims
paying ratings; (v) the effect of changes in laws and regulations  affecting The
Equitable's  businesses,  including changes in tax laws affecting  insurance and
annuity  products;  (vi) the volatile  nature of the  securities  business,  the
future  results of DLJ and Alliance and the  potential  losses that could result
from DLJ's  merchant  banking  activities  as a result of its capital  intensive
nature;   (vii)  market  risks  related  to  interest   rates,   equity  prices,
derivatives,  foreign  currency  exchange and credit;  (viii) the  volatility of
returns from The  Equitable's  other equity  investments;  (ix) The  Equitable's
ability to address Year 2000  compliance and to develop  information  technology
and management  information  systems to support strategic goals while continuing
to control costs and  expenses;  (x) the costs of defending  litigation  and the
risk of unanticipated material adverse outcomes in such litigation; (xi) changes
in accounting and reporting  practices;  (xii) the performance of others on whom
The Equitable relies for distribution,  investment  management,  reinsurance and
other  services,  and the Year  2000  compliance  of such  persons;  (xiii)  The
Equitable's access to adequate  financing to support its future business;  (xiv)
the effect of any future  acquisitions  and (xv) the risks  associated with Year
2000  non-compliance  by The Equitable and third  parties,  unanticipated  costs
associated with Year 2000  compliance due to, among other things,  the inability
to locate, correct and successfully test all relevant computer code according to
schedule,  the continued  availability of certain resources  including personnel
and timely and accurate responses and corrections by third parties.

                                       36
<PAGE>

PART II        OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

There have been no new material legal  proceedings and no material  developments
in matters which were previously  reported in the Registrant's Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997, except as set forth in Note 12 to the Registrant's
Unaudited  Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998.


Item 6.        Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

                (a) Exhibits

                    Exhibit 10.30  Description of the amendment to The Equitable
                                   Companies Incorporated 1997 Stock Incentive
                                   Plan, filed herewith


                    Exhibit 27     Financial Data Schedule

                (b) Reports on Form 8-K

                    None

                                       37
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  The
Equitable Companies Incorporated has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


Date:    November 11, 1998        THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED

                                  By:      /s/Stanley B. Tulin
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:   Stanley B. Tulin
                                           Title:  Executive Vice President and
                                                   Chief Financial Officer


Date:    November 11, 1998                 /s/Alvin H. Fenichel
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:   Alvin H. Fenichel
                                           Title:  Senior Vice President and
                                                   Controller

                                       38


The Equitable  Companies  Incorporated  1997 Stock Incentive Plan was amended in
July 1998 to permit  grants of stock  options  to agents who are  classified  as
full-time life insurance salespersons for certain federal tax purposes.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                          7
<MULTIPLIER>                                                    1,000
                                                    
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                     JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-30-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                       21,148,800
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                         262,000
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                           285,700
<EQUITIES>                                                  1,138,300
<MORTGAGE>                                                  2,552,000
<REAL-ESTATE>                                               2,106,500
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                             67,861,200
<CASH>                                                      1,356,200
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                  0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                      3,419,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            157,548,900
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                     0
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                 0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                              4,688,600
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                      20,847,400
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             7,608,600
                                               0
                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                        2,200
<OTHER-SE>                                                  5,786,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              157,548,900
                                                  1,223,600
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                         3,468,700
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                            153,600
<OTHER-INCOME>                                              3,424,000
<BENEFITS>                                                    764,500
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                   237,900
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                        5,138,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             1,256,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  414,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           652,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                                  2,500
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  655,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       2.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                       2.85
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<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                 0
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<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                  0
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<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                     0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                             0
                                                    

</TABLE>


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